ADP Server Change?

[LBBarrow]

For those of you considering upgrading your system through ADP, you might be interested in the following article, 'Has ADP a New Box?', which came out last week.

[This message has been edited by mbowers (edited 12-18-2001).]

[sallen1]

We were 'hit' with a proposal for upgrade to the 9200 (Alpha?) system. Tough decision at this time: current system works o.k. and we conserve cash during uncertain times.

Sales rep said the DEC/Compaq system was good for 10 years and no mention of anything new coming. Probably did not have NTK clearance!

I always am suspicious that the old system will start having 'problems' never experienced that can only be addressed with a new box... maybe I'm paranoid.

[This message has been edited by sallen1 (edited 12-17-2001).]

[clange]

Be cautious about the ADP9200 'Alpha' box. You must make sure that you get an assurance, in writing, from ADP that they will provide you with ALL hardware and software support on this box, for a minimum of the duration of any lease agreement you enter into.

The alternative would be to get a commitment in writing about replacing the box if they can't support it. The standard DSP Master Agreement puts the responsibility for the decision about which system to buy completely on the buyer, so beware. It would be an ugly surprise to 'upgrade' to a new system and then find that you have to buy a 'new' box because you bought a turkey.

By the way .... there is nothing wrong with the AlphaServe technology. It is a fine box, with great performance characteristics. The question has to be about how long ADP can continue to support it, and what their obligations to the buyer are.

The reason for this is that the DEC/Compaq AlphaServer line has been discontinued and there is no support from the manufacturer. Compaq has made these statements in the trade press. Additionally, Compaq has made statements that they will not support WinNT on the AlphaServer platform. Compaq announced that it has integrated the Alpha processor into another of their server lines which was competing with the DEC AlphaServer.

The Compaq info may have changed in the last 6 months, however the public announcements about discontinuing their support of the DEC AlphaServer line were made almost at the time of the Compaq / DEC takeover.

If my information is outdated, I would be interested in specific references to industry source materials that more clearly represent the situation.

[mh]

Is there a website address we can go to to read: "Has ADP a new box"?

Thanks MH